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This study investigated the frequency dependent dielectric spectrum of Au/Si structures in which stannic oxide (SnO2) films formed by spin coating technique on silicon substrate were used as interface. Surface morphological examination of interfacial layer was made by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscope. The analyzes revealed a uniform and low surface roughness of 2.66 nm, which is important for high performance applications. Capacitance-frequency (C–f) and conductance-frequency (G/w–f) analysis techniques were used to characterize the produced devices. For this purpose, measurements were made at 1–1000 kHz frequency range and dc voltages between − 0.5 and 6.0 V with steps of 0.02 V. All measurement processes were performed at room temperature and under dark environment. The Complex impedance Cole–Cole plots showed the relaxation behavior as non-Debye type. The contribution of grain and grain boundary to conductance was predicted. Module analysis showed that the electrical transport in the material was in the form of a hopping mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple wet-chemical synthesis method was developed to fabricate Zinc oxide micro-rod clusters. The synthesis process involved the rapid dilution of a zinc-bearing alkaline solution at 150°C in a convection oven on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. The synthesis was carried out by immersing an unseeded ITO substrate in a mixture of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2·6H2O) and hexamethylenetetramine ((CH2)6N4) aqueous solution. The obtained sample was annealed at 400°C for 2 h. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized ZnO microstructures were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, respectively. The ZnO rod clusters are hexagonal phase of the wurtzite structure. The crystal grain sizes of the films were found to be 72.6, 84.3 and 66.3 nm for the (100), (002) and (101) crystal planes, respectively. The optical bandgap of the ZnO was determined to be 3.147 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the perylene-monoimide/n-Si (100) Schottky structures have been fabricated by spin coating process. We have studied the capacitance-voltage ( C- V) and conductance-voltage ( G- V) characteristics of the Au/perylene-monoimide/n-Si diodes at 500 kHz before and after Co γ-ray irradiation. The effects of Co γ -ray irradiation on the electrical characteristics of a perylene-monoimide/n-Si Schottky diode have been investigated. A decrease both in the capacitance and conductance has been observed after Co γ -ray irradiation. This has been attributed to a decrease in the net ionized dopant concentration that occurred as a result of Co γ-ray irradiation. Some contact parameters such as barrier height (Φ) interface state density ( N) and series resistance ( R) have been calculated from the C- V and G- V characteristics of the diode before and after irradiation. It has been observed that the Φ and N values are decreased after the applied radiation, while the R value is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous pandemics around the world have shown that negative emotions are intensified in individuals when restrictions are imposed on human daily life activities. This study aims to draw attention to the pandemic-specific factors that might be associated with the severity of depression, anxiety, and COVID-19 phobia of high school students., Methods: A total of 1431 high school students aged 14 to 18 years were invited to participate in this study using online survey forms. They were asked to fill out a questionnaire about themselves and the changes in their lives during the pandemic. They completed the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) and the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)., Results: Findings showed that being a girl is an increased risk factor for anxiety, depression, and COVID-19 phobia. In addition, following the official daily COVID-19 data and having a healthcare professional in the building of residence are significant risk factors for COVID-19 phobia. Having a psychiatric disorder, having a chronic disease, losing anyone due to COVID-19 infection, undergoing a COVID-19 diagnostic test, and meeting friends in person are increased risk factors for anxiety or depression during the pandemic., Conclusions: Changes in adolescents' lives caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are negatively affecting their mental health. Studies are needed to maintain the mental well-being of adolescents under the conditions of this pandemic.

Introduction: Epidemiologic studies on pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) have been conducted to evaluate the possible risk factors including genetic, infectious and environmental factors with the objective of idenfying the etiology. Mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) plays an important role in first-line immune defense. HLA DRB1 alleles play a role in presentation of peptides to T cells and in activation of the adaptive immune response., Objective: In our study, we aimed to investigate both the MBL2 gene variant and HLA-DRB1 alleles in pediatric ALL patients., Materials: In this study, 86 high-risk ALL patients and 100 controls were included. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR-sequence specific primer (SSP) methods were used for detection of polymorphism of the MBL2 and HLA-DRB1 alleles, respectively., Results: The frequency of the MBL2 AB genotype was lower in female ALL patients, compared to male ALL patients (p = 0.034). An association was found between the MBL2 BB genotype and DRB1*07 and among patients with the MBL2 BB genotype; those who also carried the DRB1*07 and *04 alleles were significantly higher than those without the DRB1*07 and *04 alleles. (p = 0.048, p = 0.022, respectively)., Conclusion: This is the first study suggesting that the MBL2 BB genotype in association with the DRB1*07 or co-inheritance of the HLA-DRB1*04 and HLA DRB1*07 may have an impact on the etiopathogenesis of the disease., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest for the study., (Copyright © 2023 Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Water scarcity is a growing concern due to rapid urbanization and population growth. This study assesses spring water quality at 20 stations in Giresun province, Türkiye, focusing on potentially toxic elements and physicochemical parameters. The Water Quality Index rated most samples as "excellent" during the rainy season and "good" during the dry season, except at stations 4 (40° 35' 12″ North/38° 26' 34″ East) and 19 (40° 44' 28″ North/38° 06' 53″ West), indicating "poor" quality. Mean macro-element concentrations (mg/L) were: Ca (34.27), Na (10.36), Mg (8.26), and K (1.48). Mean trace element values (μg/L) were: Al (1093), Zn (110.54), Fe (67.45), Mn (23.03), Cu (9.79), As (3.75), Ni (3.00), Cr (2.84), Pb (2.70), Co (1.93), and Cd (0.76). Health risk assessments showed minimal non-carcinogenic risks, while carcinogenic risk from arsenic slightly exceeded safe limits (CR = 1.75E-04). Higher arsenic concentrations during the rainy season were due to increased recharge, arsenic-laden surface runoff, and human activities. Statistical analyses (PCA, PCC, HCA) suggested that metals and physico-chemical parameters originated from lithogenic, anthropogenic, or mixed sources. Regular monitoring of spring water is recommended to mitigate potential public health risks from waterborne contaminants., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Hajj is an obligatory duty for all healthy adult Muslims once in the lifetime subjected to the ability. Considering the 10.5 % global prevalence of diabetes coupled with the numbers of Muslims performing the Hajj, ∼ 1.8 million in 2023, it is estimated that Muslims with diabetes performing Hajj may exceed 340,000 this year. During Hajj the pattern and amount of their meal, fluid intake and physical activity are markedly altered. Many people with diabetes insist on doing the Hajj duty, thereby creating a medical challenge for themselves and their health care providers. It is therefore important that medical professionals be aware of the potential risks that may be associated with Hajj. People with diabetes may face many health hazards during Hajj including but not limited to the killer triad which might occur during Hajj: Hypoglycemia, Foot injury and Infections. Many precautions should be taken to prevent and treat these potentially serious complications. Risk stratification, medication adjustments, proper clinical assessment, and education before doing Hajj are crucial., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was the investigation of basic motor skills in 5-14-year-old boys and girls. Materials and Methods: A total of 842 primary school children, 421 boys and 421 girls, participated in the study. 13.3% of the participants were 5-6 years old, 29.5% were 7-8 years old, 21.5% were 9-10 years old, 16.4% were 11-12, and 19.4% were 13-14 years old. The balance skills of the participants were measured with the (Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder) KTK test. Findings: When the classification of children according to KTK defining classes is examined, 40.7% are very good. When the children's KTK Backward Balancing scores were examined, a statistically significant difference was found between gender and age groups ( p < 0.05). Girls between the ages of 5-6 and 7-8 years had a higher score for KTK backward balance. KTK Total scores were examined according to the Body Mass Index groups, when the total scores of KTK were compared, the lowest scores were in the obese group. Conclusion: According to the study results, age is an essential factor for balance skills. As the age increased, the overall scores of the KTK increased. It was determined that girls' KTK backward balancing scores were higher than boys. According to BMI results, the balance performances of obese children were found to be lower than the other groups. This difference can be explained by the negative effect of obesity in this age group. According to these results, it may be recommended to observe and improve the balance performances of obese children., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Karadeniz, Suveren, Arslan, Ayyıldız Durhan, Ceylan, Albay, Küçük and Ceylan.)

Background: It is suggested that pregnancy risks may be related to microbial dysbiosis, and it is known that knowledge on this subject is reflected in behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether microbiota awareness in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with pregnancy-related risks., Methods: Within the scope of the study, the microbiota awareness scale was administered to 426 individuals in the first trimester of pregnancy, and information on any diagnosis related to high-risk pregnancy, gestational age, birth weight, and birth height of the newborn was obtained from their file records., Results: The mean total microbiota awareness score of individuals was 61.38 ± 11.00 (26.00-91.00). The microbiota awareness score (56.85 ± 11.65) was found to be lower in individuals diagnosed with high-risk pregnancy (p < 0.05) than in healthy subjects (63.64 ± 9.94). Moreover, in individuals with high-risk pregnancies, a positive correlation was found between the microbiota awareness score and newborn birth weight and height (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: The poor microbiota awareness level in pregnant women is associated with high-risk pregnancy and neonatal growth status., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and distribution patterns of foot and ankle tumors in bone and soft tissue in a university tumor institute, to help the correct evaluation of uncertain masses, to take the right steps in advanced diagnosis and treatment, and to contribute to future research., Materials and Methods:  A retrospective analysis of a total of 164 foot and ankle cases examined by a multidisciplinary bone and soft-tissue tumors care team between January 2004 and December 2021 was performed from a database in which patient information was recorded in our tertiary university hospital. Thirty-three (20.1%) of 164 patients were discussed in the tumor council and evaluated as having the non-tumor disease. All of these patients were excluded from the study. A total of 131 patients diagnosed with tumors were included in this study., Results:  The lesion was determined as a benign tumor in 84 (64.1%) cases of 131 tumor patients included in the study. Of these 84 patients, 40 (47.6%) were identified as benign bone lesions and 44 (52.4%) as benign soft-tissue lesions. Malignancy was determined in 47 (35.9%) of 131 patients, affecting the bone in 14 (29.8%) patients and the soft tissue in 33 (70.2%). The malignant soft-tissue lesion most determined was malignant mesenchymal tumor in 10 (30.3%) patients, of which one had lung metastasis and one was determined with multiple metastases. Metastasis was detected in eight patients in total, including three metastatic malignant bone tumors and five metastatic malignant soft-tissue tumors., Conclusions: Tumors involving the foot and ankle are not frequently encountered, and most tumors in this region are benign. The anatomic structure of the foot allows early diagnosis, but for diagnosis to be made, there must first be clinical suspicion. The first symptom is generally swelling. Early diagnosis can prevent several complications. Therefore, patients with foot and ankle complaints must be taken seriously and evaluated with advanced tests if necessary., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Karadeniz et al.)

This study aimed to analyse the impact of an 8-week core strength training (CST) programme in youth karate practitioners on core endurance, agility, flexibility, sprinting, jumping, and kick performance. This study followed a randomized parallel design. Twenty-nine participants (age: 12.86 ± 0.81 years old; height: 152.55 ± 10.37 cm; weight: 42.93 ± 8.85 kg) were allocated to a CST programme (n = 16) performed thrice weekly or to a control group (n = 13) only performing the sport-specific (karate) training. Participants were assessed three times (baseline, mid and post-intervention) for the following tests: (i) flexor endurance test (FET); (ii) back extensor test (BET); (iii) lateral musculature test (LMT); (iv) flexibility; (v) chance of direction (COD); (vi) countermovement jump (CMJ); (vii) back muscle strength (BMS); (viii) horizontal jump (LJ); (ix) sprint test; and (x) karate kick test (KKT). Between-group analysis revealed significant advantages for the CST group on the FET (p < 0.001), BET (p < 0.001), LMT (p < 0.001), 20 m sprint (p = 0.021) and KKT for right (p < 0.006) and left (p < 0.020) legs. No significant differences were found between groups in the remaining physical fitness variables (p > 0.05). The within-group changes revealed significant improvements in the CST group at flexibility (p = 0.002), COD (p < 0.001), CMJ (p < 0.001), BMS (p < 0.002), 20 m sprint (p = 0.033), and KKT (p < 0.001). In addition, within-group changes in the control group were also significant in flexibility (p = 0.024) and right kick (p < 0.042). We conclude that the CST programme improves core endurance and karate kick performance; however, it is not effective enough for other physical performance parameters in KR practitioners.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of patients with extremity-localized myxoid liposarcoma (MLS)., Patients and Methods: Between January 2001 and October 2019, a total of 43 patients (29 males, 14 females; mean age: 56.3±11.4 years; range, 34 to 76 years) who were histopathologically diagnosed with MLS in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Data including demographic characteristics, tumor localization, tumor volume and length, histopathological characteristics, the surgery and chemotherapy (CT)/radiotherapy (RT) applied, survival rates, and complications such as local recurrence and metastasis were recorded. The treatment results and potential prognostic factors were identified. The overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were evaluated., Results: The mean follow-up was 106.8±54.1 (range, 29 to 204) months. The mean tumor size was 11.4±6.5 (range, 4.7 to 36) cm. Tumor localization was determined as lower extremity in 76.7% of cases and upper extremity in 23.2%. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of RT they received as follows: the patients who underwent neoadjuvant RT + wide surgical resection (n=14, 32.5%) and patients who underwent extensive surgical resection + adjuvant RT (n=29, 67.4%). To four patients who developed distant metastasis and to two who developed local recurrence, adjuvant CT was applied. In the whole cohort, the OS rate was 87.1% at five years and 73.2% at 10 years. The five and 10-year CSS rates were 83.5% and 66.4%, respectively. Local recurrence developed in 12 (27.9%) and distant metastasis in four (9%) patients. In the multivariate analysis, high tumor grade, R2 margins, and metastasis were found to be independent risk factors for OS. Although wide resection provided significantly good local control, neoadjuvant RT and adjuvant CT were not found to be prognostic factors for OS or CSS (p>0.05)., Conclusion: High tumor grade, R2 margins, and metastasis are independent risk factors for increased OS and OSS. Surgery with CT and neo/adjuvant RT is not an independent risk factor for OS or CSS. Despite patients with a larger tumor size and neurovascular proximity, similar disease-free survival rates can be achieved in the patients receiving neoadjuvant RT. Neoadjuvant RT can be considered in lesions close to neurovascular structures or in large lesions, with a high risk of wound complications.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the neutrophil-tolymphocyte ratio (NLR), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and Nottingham Hip Fracture Score (NHFS) according to one-year mortality estimation after hip fracture surgery in elderly., Patients and Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2019, a total of 190 elderly patients (63 males, 127 females; mean age: 82.8±6.1 years; range, 70 to 98 years) who were diagnosed with collum femoris fractures treated with hemiarthroplasty were included. The cohort was divided into two groups with NHFS ≤4 and >4 as the low- and high-risk patients, respectively and one-year mortality was assessed for both groups. The RDW was evaluated with blood values sampled on the day of admission. A cut-off of 14.5% was considered for the RDW values. The NLR values calculated on admission (NLR-D0) and postoperative Day 5 (NLR-D5) were considered the primary outcome measures., Results: A total of 46 patients (24.2%) developed any type of complication. The NLR values higher than 5 on Days 0 and 5 were more frequently seen in the complicated patients (p=0.0016 and p<0.001). There were significantly more patients with higher RDW values (>14.5%) in the complicated group (p<0.001). The median NHFS and the rate of patients with NHFS >4 were significantly higher in the complicated patients (p<0.001 for both). The NHFS value higher than 4 had a sensitivity of 87.7% and specificity of 84.0% in predicting mortality (area under the curve [AUC]=0.910, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.860-0.947, p<0.001). Estimation of mortality using an RDW cut-off value of >14.5 showed 87.7% and 80.0% sensitivity and specificity, respectively (95% CI: 0.789-0.904, p<0.001). The AUC of the NLR Day 5 using a cut-off value of >6.8 was 0.953 for the prediction of mortality (95% CI: 0.912-0.978, p<0.001)., Conclusion: Age, NLR Day 5 (>5), RDW (>14.5%) and NHFS (>4) were strongly associated with mortality prediction. The NHSF and RDW values had the highest and similar sensitivity merit, while the highest specificity was in NLR-D5. Therefore, NLR, RDW and NHFS values can be used to classify risk factors in estimating oneyear mortality rates in elderly patients operated for hip fractures. A multidisciplinary approach should be standardized in determining the risk factors before treatment in patients with hip fractures and in planning appropriate treatment for this risk.

Background: Unipolar depression is common among adolescents and has high recurrence rates. Studies conducted with adults show that oxidative stress plays a role in etiology of depression but studies with adolescent patients are limited. In addition, baseline S100B level in adult patients with depression is considered as a marker of response to treatment. The purpose of this study was to measure the levels of serum S100B, Malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS), which have not been previously investigated in adolescent patients with first-episode, drug-naive unipolar depression, and to investigate the relationship of these parameters with disease severity and patient-specific variables., Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted with 37 adolescents diagnosed with unipolar depression and 37 healthy peers. Participants were asked to fill out the Beck Depression Scale, Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, and suicide probability questionnaires. After this procedure, 5 cc blood was collected from the adolescents and serum S100B, MDA, TOS, and OSI levels measured., Results: Serum S100B, MDA, TOS, and OSI levels were higher and TAS level was lower in patients than their healthy peers. There was no relationship between the patients' severity of depression or suicide probability and these parameters. The serum S100B, MDA, TOS, and OSI levels of female patients were higher than their healthy peers, but the TAS level was not different. Male patients had higher TOS and OSI levels and lower TAS levels than their healthy peers., Conclusions: The results show that increased serum S100B, MDA, TOS and OSI levels may contribute to etiology of depression regardless of gender. The gender-specific increase in S100B and MDA levels, which were significantly increased in female adolescent patients but not in males, should be supported by further follow-up studies.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health and emotional disorder that affects children and adolescents worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate serum nesfatin-1, ghrelin, and lipid levels as biological markers of adolescent MDD and their relationship with the severity of depression-anxiety and suicide risk in MDD. Methods: This study included 37 drug naïve adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 who were diagnosed with a first episode MDD according to the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and DSM-V diagnostic criteria. Thirty-three healthy adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 were included as the control group. The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED), and Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) were used to evaluate the subjects in the MDD and control groups. In the first stage, serum nesfatin-1, ghrelin, and lipid levels were compared between the adolescents diagnosed with MDD and the control group. Next, the correlations between these levels and the CDI, SCARED, and SPS scores were evaluated. Results: Nesfatin-1 levels were significantly lower in the MDD group than the control group ( p  < 0.001) A positive correlation was found between the nesfatin-1 levels and the SPS scores. Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate nesfatin-1 levels in adolescent depression, suggesting that nesfatin-1, ghrelin, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels can be used as biomarkers in child-adolescent MDD. However, it is evident that further studies with larger samples and post-treatment measurements are needed.

Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment modality in children that can be life-saving but is rarely preferred. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge, experience, and attitudes of child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) in Turkey about pediatric ECT and to draw attention to possible gaps and needs regarding this treatment in the child and adolescent psychiatric policies of Turkey., Method: An electronic survey was prepared and shared with child and adolescent psychiatric residents and specialists. The participants were asked about their residency training, clinical experience, and opinion about ECT. The obtained data were entered in SPSS Statistics 23.0. Descriptive analyses and chi-squared tests were applied., Results: One hundred and ninety-one CAPs filled in the questionnaire, 28.8% of whom assessed their knowledge level as "I have no knowledge." Only 34% of them stated that their patients, most of whom had mood disorders, schizophrenia, and catatonia, had received ECT before. Four of these patients were under 12 years old. Sixty-six percent of the participants suggested that ECT was safe in adolescents, whereas only 5.8% held this view for prepubertal children. The most common reason for physicians not to apply ECT was "lack of means to apply ECT," and 92.7% stated that opportunities should be provided for pediatric ECT treatment by the hospital administration., Conclusion: This is the first data to present the knowledge and attitudes of CAPs in Turkey about ECT. The results suggest that physicians need to have more knowledge about ECT., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction:: The purpose of the study was to estimate the number of people with diabetes mellitus, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the prevalence of blindness and severe visual impairment among people with diabetes mellitus in Hungary based on our recent national representative survey., Methods:: Altogether 105 clusters of 35 people aged 50 years or older were randomly selected. Standardized rapid assessment of avoidable blindness with the diabetic retinopathy module was used. Each individual received a visual acuity assessment, and every person with diabetes mellitus underwent dilated fundus examination., Results:: The estimated number of people with diabetes mellitus was 807,885 in the adult (⩾18 years) population in Hungary with 9.9% prevalence. Diabetic retinopathy exhibited an increasing tendency with age. The prevalence rates of blindness and severe visual impairment in people with diabetes mellitus aged ⩾50 years were 1.0% and 0.9%, respectively. Diabetic retinopathy was responsible for 28% of blindness and 50% of severe visual impairment among participants aged ⩾50 years with diabetes mellitus., Conclusion:: The estimated number of people with diabetes mellitus and prevalence of diabetes mellitus were lower than those recently reported. However, if we extend our estimation, prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus may be higher and thus prevalence of diabetes mellitus may reach a higher value (between 9.9% and 13.4%). Because of the high number of ophthalmologically uncontrolled diabetic eyes and high rate of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy, primary eye care should be improved, and a nationwide telemedical eye-screening programme should be undertaken.

Objective: To assess the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children under 18 years of age in the northwest region of Turkey during 2013-2015., Methods: All newly diagnosed T1DM cases were recorded prospectively during 2013-2015. Total, as well as gender and age group specific (0-4, 5-9, 10-14 and 15-17 age) mean incidences per 100,000 per year were calculated., Results: There were 1,773 patients diagnosed during 2013-2015 (588 cases in 2013, 592 cases in 2014, 593 cases in 2015). Of these, 862 (48.6%) were girls and 911 (51.4%) were boys. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.2±4.2 years and it was not significantly different between girls (9.0±4.1 years) and boys (9.4±4.4 years) (p=0.052). The crude mean incidence was 8.99/100.000 confidence interval (CI) (95% CI: 8.58-9.42). Although mean incidence was similar between boys [8.98/100.000 (CI: 8.40 to 9.58)] and girls [9.01/100.000 (CI: 8.42 to 9.63)], there was male predominance in all groups except for 5-9 year age group. The standardized mean incidence was 9.02/100.000 according to the World Health Organization standard population. The mean incidence for the 0-4, 5-9, 10-14 and 15-17 age groups was 6.13, 11.68, 11.7 and 5.04/100.000 respectively. The incidence of T1DM was similar over the course of three years (p=0.95). A significant increase in the proportion of cases diagnosed was observed in the autumn-winter seasons., Conclusion: The northwest region of Turkey experienced an intermediate incidence of T1DM over the period of the study.

The use of plants in treatments has been as old as humanity and it has preserved its popularity for centuries til now because of their availability, affordability and safeness. However, despite their widespread use, safety and quality issues have been major concerns in the world due to industrial- and anthropogenic-based heavy metal contamination risks. Thus, this study was attempted to analyze the heavy metal levels and mineral nutrient status of widely used medicinal plants in Turkey to have insights about their health implications on humans. The plant concentrations of B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn were analyzed by ICP-OES in the leaves of 44 medical plants purchased from herbal markets of three different districts of Istanbul/Turkey. The measured lowest to highest concentrations were 0.065-79.749 mg kg -1 B, 921.802-12,854.410 mg kg -1 Ca, 0.020-0.558 mg kg -1 Cd, 0.015-4.978 mg kg -1 Cr, 0.042-8.489 mg kg -1 Cu, 34.356-858.446 mg kg -1 Fe, 791.323-15,569.349 mg kg -1 K, 102.236-2837.836 mg kg -1 Mg, 4.915-91.519 mg kg -1 Mn, 10.224-3213.703 mg kg -1 Na, 0.001-5.589 mg kg -1 Ni, 0.003-3.636 mg kg -1 Pb and 2.601-36.102 mg kg -1 Zn. Those levels in plants were in acceptable limits though some elements in some plants have high limits which were not harmful. Variations (above acceptable limits) in element concentrations also indicated that these plants could be contaminated with other metals and that genetic variations may influence accumulation of these elements at different contents. Overall, analyzed medicinal plants are expected not to pose any serious threat to human health.

Introduction: High rates of panel-reactive antibody (PRA) may decrease the chance of kidney transplantation and may result in long waiting periods before transplantation. The calculated PRA (cPRA) is performed based on unacceptable HLA antigens. These antigens are identified by a program that was created based on the antibodies that developed against the HLA antigens circulating in serum and on the risk of binding of these antibodies to antigens. The antigen profile of the population and antigen frequencies can be measured, and more realistic cPRA positivity rates may be obtained using this method., Materials and Methods: We developed a program based on the HLA antigens of 494 blood donors in 2 European Federation for Immunogenetics-accredited Tissue Typing Laboratories in Turkey. Next-generation sequencing-based tissue typing (HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, -DQ, 4 digits) of the samples was performed. The PRA screening test was performed on 380 patients who were waiting for organ transplant from a cadaver in Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. The single antigen bead assay testing was performed to identify the antibody profiles on 48 hypersensitized patients., Results: The PRA testing results using the current methods were 44.6% ± 18.5%, and the cPRA rate was 86.2% ± 5.1%. The mean PRA positivity of the sensitized patients using the current methods was 44.6%; however, the rate was 86.2% using the cPRA., Discussion: cPRA shows the rate of the rejected donors according to all unacceptable antigens. The need for a list of unacceptable antigens in place of the PRA positivity rate is a real change in the sensitization-dependent calculation as cPRA positivity rate., Conclusion: In principal, implementation of cPRA will encourage many centers and laboratories to adopt a standard measurement of sensitization in Turkey. It will increase the chances of better donor match, particularly for hypersensitized patients, by the creation of an unacceptable mismatch program using cPRA software., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Since the first ADA working group report on the recommendations for management of diabetes during Ramadan in 2005 and our update in 2010, we received many inquiries asking for regular updates on information regarding education, nutritional habits and new oral and injectable agents that may be useful for the management of patients with diabetes during Ramadan. Patients can be stratified into their risk of hypoglycemia and/or complications prior to the start of the fasting period of Ramadan. Those at high risk of hypoglycemia and with multiple diabetic complications should be advised against prolonged fasting. Even in the lower hypoglycemia risk group, adverse effects may still occur. In order to minimize adverse side effects during fasting in patients with diabetes and improve or maintain glucose control, education and discussion of glucose monitoring and treatment regimens should occur several weeks prior to Ramadan. Agents such as metformin, thiazolidinediones and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors appear to be safe and do not need dose adjustment. Most sulfonylureas may not be used safely during Ramadan except with extreme caution; besides, older agents, such as chlorpropamide or glyburide, should not be used. Reduction of the dosage of sulfonylurea is needed depending on the degree of control prior to fasting. Misconceptions and local habits should be addressed and dealt with in any educational intervention and therapeutic planning with patients with diabetes. In this regard, efforts are still needed for controlled prospective studies in the field of efficacy and safety of the different interventions during the Ramadan Fast.